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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

Colorful and Quaint: Staying at the Carmel Mission Inn

Travel | November 21, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.

Looking to go vacation in beautiful Northern California? Consider staying at the Carmel Mission Inn - I would definitely recommend it!

A friend of mine was getting married in northern California and I decided it was an excellent opportunity to skip winter for a few extra days and explore areas of my home state that I hadn’t seen- namely, Big Sur, Monterey and Carmel by the Sea.  I looked a variety of hotels, and the Carmel Mission Inn stood out as more of the vibe I was looking for- colorful, comfortable and quintessentially California. It stood out from the rest, and I was very excited to spend some quality time in the sunshine during my stay!

The Carmel Mission Inn is a great stop along Highway 1, located between Monterey and Big Sur, the perfect stopping point.  We chose this hotel because of it’s location, but also because it was close to a shopping center with some good foods, McIntyre Wines tasting room & a Safeway if you needed to pick up road trip supplies (which, I always do!).

This hotel is dog friendly and kid friendly- which turns out, is a rarity along Highway 1.  Plus, it boasts some snappy room service and an on-site restaurant and bar, just incase you’re all tourist-ed out and want to just lounge in the room.

A colorful stay at the Carmel Mission Inn- a kid and dog friendly hotel in the Big Sur or Monterey Area. A great spot for your next visit to northern California!

I loved the pool area, it was so bright and colorful!  There’s also a cabana area with bright, comfy pillows and grey throws, to stay warm after the sun goes down.  Complimentary floatie chaise lounges, dot the pool and you can dip in the jacuzzi.  Honestly, this pool was awesome. Oh yes, there are two cow statues on site- meant to be conversation pieces, I think they’re effective.

Sitting by the water, enjoying the sunshine with the bright colors and comfortable cabanas was just the ticket to forget winter back home in Chicago…and trust, me, I really wanted to forget winter.  I think the many wine tastings in the area and California sunshine helped facilitate that, but I digress….

Staying at the Carmel Mission Inn

The rooms were lovely, equipped with convenient reading lights, a comfy chair to lounge in, and very nice bathroom toiletries which included q-tips, cotton balls, lotion and bath robes.  Yes, I go gaga for bathrobes in hotel rooms.  When you’re on vacation, robes are a thing you should have.  If you have a coffee maker or an ice bucket in your room- you should have a robe to match, because morning or evening- robes are fabulous.

The shower head as also really relaxing- I spent plenty of time primping for a day of sightseeing while in there, it had everything I needed…including a coffee maker.  I cannot even try it with makeup until I have a good cup of coffee in the morning.

The fancy bathrooms of the Carmel Mission Inn during our trip to the Big Sur and Monterey area in winter 2015

That thumbs up is about how I feel about these rooms.  The balcony, the robe & the colors were up my alley!

My Visit to the Carmel Mission Inn near Big Sur California, a favorite spot!

So let’s just say you’d rather not relax in the room- there is plenty of open space to do that onsite.  Gorgeous fireplaces are scattered throughout the property- in the lobby, the front patio and in the on-site restaurant.  Honestly, it’s a place you’d want to come and stay awhile, as if the nearby ocean wasn’t enough to make you want to linger!

Sometimes, when winter really gets me d0wn here in Chicago, I paw through my photos of my stay at the Carmel Mission Inn.  It’s a great value for the amount of amenities they offer, the staff were friendly and the location was unbeatable.  While it’s kid and dog friendly, even without my furry family, I was super comfortable and hope to bring Matilda back someday so she can enjoy the sunshine!

 

The garden area of the Carmel Mission Inn

A view from the patio of the Carmel Mission Inn.  I miss it already.

 

Thank you to the Carmel Mission Inn for having me as a guest.  I loved my stay and it is easily one of my favorite happy places- full of color, sunshine, fun local activities and comfort.  I cannot wait to come back and explore again!

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

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Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
Life’s moments are made better with our pets. ❤️

Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

Life hadn’t been easy for him, but I’m glad a rescue was there to give him a second chance, and they trusted me to give in his second chapter.  He was a well travelled dog and he was the Best Pup on our wedding day in Marfa.  Last night we said goodbye. Hubs and I will miss him dearly, but savor the moments and adventures with our little tank. 

Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
“Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked “Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked me this before. To which, I answer- life is full, wonderful, and I am grateful. 

I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

I had years to find myself and don’t plan on losing that woman I forged. Being a mom has also helped me heal some of the hard parts of the experience I had with my own mom. (I didn’t see that last part coming.)

Being a mom can make you lose yourself.  For me, it’s helped me discover myself once more. Grateful for this day and so many days - I’m just happy to be here. 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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